I think I have a slight charging issue. before I got my engine rebuilt, my alternator was charging fine at 14 volts. now after the engine is back in. the alternator only charges at 12 volts at idle and about 13.5 to 14 volts cruiseing. pulled it apart and realized that one brush doesn't sit squarely on the one sleeve of the armature. Not sure if this would cause a charging issue either, but I I'm now running the march serpentine performance pulleys on the car, they are an under drive set. If I put a smaller alternator pulley on instead of the one that is on now, will that help.

Since you have had it down, I would acquire an Alternator Rebuild kit and do a total rebuild..This will renew the brush kit and spring followers AND the Diode regulator...

Next is this a 1 or 3 wire internally regulated Alternator?

A 1 wire requires some initial RPM to "wake up" the regulator..So If that is your configuration , you need to return to the old pulley system OR go larger..

If it is a 3 wire Internally Regulated:

And the connection is 10 gauge red to Solenoid Battery terminal, Via Proper Fuse link, and wire #2 is jumpered to the big red output wire, and terminal #1 is Brown to the idiot lamp, you may want to try MOVING the small red #2 to the solenoid connection (or wherever all your main connections are located)

This will remotely sense a higher drop in Voltage allowing the regulator to run sooner and longer..to raise voltage readings.

We , of course assume you have followed proper ground bonding procedures already.

thanks so far for the information. Did you say that you didn't like underdrive pulleys or the idea of putting a smaller pulley on the alternator. I had the alternator tested and all the autoparts store was it was still good, which didn't help me at all. the alternator is 120 amp and is a 3 wire internally regulated. should I consider tryng the reuild kit.

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